2024-12-09T14:08:31-05:00 2024-07-31 411562398 CARLSONSV LLP 301 KELLER AVE S AMERY WI 540011283 990 2023-08-01 416033115 UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA UNIT 5073546512 108 N MINNESOTA PO BOX 476 NEW ULM MN 56073 SANDRA JUNI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 5073546512 2024-11-13 true true DIRK A PRINDLE CPA P00456916 7159544995 2024-11-13 X 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z SANDRA JUNI 108 N MINNESOTA PO BOX 476 NEW ULM MN 56073 219422 false X WWW.UNITEDWAYBROWNCOUNTYAREA.ORG X 1957 MN SOLICIT AND ADMINISTER FUNDS FOR SELECTED HUMAN CARE SERVICES. SPECIFICALLY, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA'S MISSION IS TO BE A PREFERRED COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. 18 18 3 175 0 256259 208533 0 14416 8974 22285 -783 292960 216724 149459 122072 0 67007 100586 0 46406 136740 106708 353206 329366 -60246 -112642 493606 362813 152920 112470 340686 250343 X SOLICIT AND ADMINISTER FUNDS FOR SELECTED HUMAN CARE SERVICES. SPECIFICALLY, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA'S MISSION IS TO BE A PREFERRED COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. false false 186259 97063 FOR OVER SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA HAS PLAYED A UNIQUE ROLE BY BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY-DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, ADVOCATES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. UNITED WAY'S STRATEGIC VISION IS TO ENVISION A UNITED AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS AND THRIVES. WE WILL UNITE PEOPLE AND PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT OUR NEIGHBORS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET LAND ON THEIR FEET AND STAY THERE. UNITED WAY'S WORK AND INVESTMENTS ARE FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. THE UNITED WAY OF BROWN COUNTY AREA IS A VIBRANT ORGANIZATION WITH A RICH HISTORY OF CONNECTING PEOPLE AND RESOURCES. OUR PROGRAMMING IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, AND WE ARE WELL RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. IN 2023-2024, THE UNITED WAY YOUTH ACTIVITIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM GAVE OUT 264 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING OVER 21,812.28. THESE SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE GONE TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT BROWN COUNTY, AGES 3 TO 18, WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS INSUFFICIENT TO AFFORD ACTIVITY AND/OR EQUIPMENT FEES. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 200 PER YEAR PER YOUTH, PROVIDING 80% OF THE ACTIVITY FEES AND 50% OF THE EQUIPMENT COSTS. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENSURE THAT AREA YOUTH WILL NOT BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CHARACTER- BUILDING ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM MUSIC AND DANCE LESSONS TO SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. THIS PAST YEAR, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA CONTINUED THE PROGRAM'S VISION TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE GIFT OF A SPECIALLY SELECTED BOOK EACH MONTH. THROUGH THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION, IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS ONE OF THE UNITED WAY OF BROWN COUNTY AREA'S MOST BELOVED PROGRAMS. BY MAILING HIGH-QUALITY, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOMES, WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE EXCITED ABOUT BOOKS AND FEEL THE MAGIC THEY CAN CREATE. MOREOVER, THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT EVERY CHILD HAS BOOKS, REGARDLESS OF THE FAMILY'S INCOME. SINCE THE INITIAL PROGRAM LAUNCH IN THE UNITED STATES, IMAGINATION LIBRARY HAS GONE FROM JUST A FEW DOZEN BOOKS TO FORTY MILLION BOOKS MAILED TO CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING OVER 950 BOOKS MAILED IN BROWN COUNTY EACH MONTH. IF A CHILD IS READ TO FOR 20 MINUTES DAILY, THEY WILL START SCHOOL WITH AN 800-WORD VOCABULARY. AS WE FACE CONTINUED CHALLENGES TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A HIGH-TECH WORLD, WE MUST DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO PREPARE OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS TO SUCCEED. IN 2024, OUR STUFF THE BACKPACK PROGRAM GAVE OVER 468 BACKPACKS FILLED WITH AGE, GRADE, AND SCHOOL-DISTRICT-APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES TO CHILDREN ALL OVER BROWN COUNTY. THESE BACKPACKS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES IN NEED TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CHILDREN CAN GET OFF TO A GOOD START IN SCHOOL. THE UNITED WAY PARTNERED WITH ALLIANCE BANK TO RECEIVE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, OVER 30 BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND MANY INDIVIDUAL DONORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY GAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES. THIS WAS A FANTASTIC EFFORT, AND WITHOUT THE GENEROSITY OF THE CITIZENS OF BROWN COUNTY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SO MANY CHILDREN WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, AND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, WILL BE THE UNITED WAY OF BROWN COUNTY'S 27TH ANNUAL DAY OF CARING. THE DAY OF CARING IS A YEARLY EVENT THAT MAKES A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE THROUGH VOLUNTEERING. OVER 100 VOLUNTEERS WILL SPEND PART OF THE DAY HELPING OTHERS IN OUR COUNTY. IN 2023, 65 PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED IN THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. THIS PROGRAM IS AT THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE DO, CONNECTING OUR GREATEST RESOURCE, OUR PEOPLE, TO THOSE WHO NEED A HELPING HAND. PROJECT LUNCHBOX IS A WEEKEND FOOD PROGRAM FOR KIDS IN K-8TH GRADES IN NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IT IS ALSO PROVIDED TO THE RIVERBEND DISTRICT, NEW ULM CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, AND ST. PAUL'S. THIS IS OUR EIGHTH YEAR PROVIDING THIS MUCH-NEEDED NEW ULM SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAM. ORGANIZING THE DRY GOODS, PURCHASING, AND OVERSEEING THE PROCESS OF PACKING AND DISTRIBUTING THE FOOD IS MONUMENTAL. THE FOOD IS PACKAGED AND DELIVERED TO SCHOOLS FOR KIDS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHES. THE FOOD PACKAGES ARE THEN PLACED IN A CHILD'S BACKPACK ON FRIDAY TO BE TAKEN HOME. WITH A STEADY CORE OF VOLUNTEERS, THESE FOOD PACKAGES INCLUDE TWO MEALS, TWO SNACKS, AND TWO BEVERAGES TO GET EACH CHILD THROUGH THE WEEKEND. AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE EXECUTION OF THIS PROGRAM. HUNGER CAN IMPACT YOUNG CHILDREN, CAUSING ANXIETY, POOR BEHAVIOR, AND IMPAIRMENT TO LEARNING, AND FOOD INSTABILITY IS A REAL PROBLEM IN THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. PROJECT LUNCHBOX PROVIDES THE VITAL NUTRITION THAT STUDENTS NEED FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS. THERE ARE MANY BARRIERS FOR THE ELDERLY, WORKING POOR, AND YOUNG STUDENTS IN GETTING THEIR TAXES DONE EACH YEAR. TIME, ACCESS OR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE TAX SYSTEM WORKS, AND THE LACK OF FUNDS TO PAY SOMEONE TO DO THEIR TAXES ARE JUST A FEW BARRIERS FACING BROWN COUNTY AREA RESIDENTS. WHATEVER THE BARRIER, UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA'S FREE TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM IS IN PLACE TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS. EACH YEAR, COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOLUNTEER TO BECOME IRS CERTIFIED TAX PREPARERS AND/OR CLIENT FACILITATORS THROUGH AARP TO HELP LOCAL AREA CITIZENS. THIS PUTS THOUSANDS OF REFUND TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. 25009 25009 IN ADDITION TO ITS GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS HELPING INDIVIDUALS IN NEED, THE UNITED WAY ALSO SPONSORS A YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO HELP FAMILIES WITH THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS YOUTH ACTIVITIES. DISBURSEMENTS ARE NOT MADE TO THE INDIVIDUALS, BUT ARE MADE TO THE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THEY ARE USED AS INTENDED. 211268 true true false false false false false false true true true false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 4 0 false 3 true false false false false false false false false X 18 18 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true true true true false MN X X SANDRA JUNI 5073545612 108 N MINNESOTA PO BOX 476 NEW ULM MN 56073 X MEGAN FURTH BOARD CHAIR 6.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSHUA CATANACHT BOARD VICE C 6.00 X X 0 0 0 EVY OLSON TREASURER 6.00 X X 0 0 0 LIZ MALLOY PAST BOARD C 6.00 X X 0 0 0 MELLISA VISSER CAMPAIGN CHA 6.00 X X 0 0 0 DONNA KRUEGER COMMUNITY CH 6.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRIS BOWLER DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 MCKENZIE LORENTZ DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 AMBER PORTNER DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 IRENE ACHMAN DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 COURTNEY COLTON DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN SHIVELY DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 CHERYL DIEDE DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 BARB DIETZ DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 NICK HAGE DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 CHERYL NEIDT DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 MORGAN PARSLEY DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 BRITTNEY SCHMISSING DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 false false false 5912 202621 5894 208533 8974 8974 1915 2698 -783 -783 216724 8191 97063 97063 25009 25009 93158 31181 43596 18381 7428 2486 3476 1466 13543 13543 1456 1318 69 69 9591 690 305 8596 12122 3127 6032 2963 10422 2084 3127 5211 6850 2858 2808 1184 1602 801 481 320 5185 5185 1601 543 568 490 2018 131 1810 77 IMAGINATION LIBRARY 24632 24632 MISCELLANEOUS 15366 3142 1877 10347 PROJECT LUNCHBOX 11018 11018 DIRECT BENEFITS TO DONORS -2698 -2698 -6000 -6000 329366 211268 71692 46406 19357 -4844 141558 29755 27541 4585 2122 2044 7069 4279 4391 2790 272529 301830 26108 26653 493606 362813 11389 8499 126500 98000 15031 5971 152920 112470 X 324976 237026 15710 13317 340686 250343 493606 362813 -112642 22299 X true X false true false X 389635 415303 352679 256259 208533 1622409 389635 415303 352679 256259 208533 1622409 54123 1568286 11529 41297 9655 13588 8974 85043 8338 20049 15732 7595 1915 53629 1761081 34779 0.89050 0.91720 X PART II, LINE 10 51,714 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true X 26108 795 -250 26653 10800 14200 1108 26108 10800 10800 10800 10800 1.00000 false false 7069 4279 2790 2790 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN ASSETS 26653 26653 X 239023 22299 22299 216724 216724 329366 329366 329366 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART IV, LINE 2B THE ORGANIZATION IS ACTING AS A FISCAL AGENT FOR SEVERAL GRANTS FROM THE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA INITIATIVE FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, CHILDCARE ENHANCEMENT, CHILDHOOD DENTAL CARE AND A TRAVELING LIBRARIAN PROGRAM. UWBCA RECEIVES THE FUNDS AND THEN DISBURSES THEM AS REQUESTED BY THE ACTUAL GRANTEE. THE DISBURSEMENTS ARE APPROVED BY SMIF. THE NET BALANCE OF FUNDS YET TO BE DISBURSED ARE ACCOUNTED FOR IN SEPARATE LIABILITY ACCOUNTS. THE ORGANIZATION IS ALSO CURRENTLY HOLDING FUNDS RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS ENTITIES TO PASS THROUGH TO VARIOUS NON-PROFITS AFFECTED BY COVID-19. ANY AMOUNTS NOT YET DISTRIBUTED ARE ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR IN A SEPARATE LIABILITY ACCOUNT. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4 A PERMANENT ENDOWMENT WAS CREATED IN 2021 AS A MEANS OF ESTABLISHING A LONG-TERM SOURCE OF INVESTMENT INCOME TO ASSIST WITH THE GENERAL NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE ORGANIZATION IS ORGANIZED AS A MINNESOTA NONPROFIT CORPORATION AND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE IRS AS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3). THE ORGANIZATION IS ANNUALLY REQUIRED TO FILE A RETURN OF ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX (FORM 990) WITH THE IRS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION IS SUBJECT TO INCOME TAX ON NET INCOME THAT IS DERIVED FROM BUSINESS ACTIVITIES THAT ARE UNRELATED TO ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE. THE ORGANIZATION HAS DETERMINED IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAX AND HAS NOT FILED AN EXEMPT ORGANIZATION BUSINESS TAX RETURN (FORM 990-T) WITH THE IRS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS PROCESSES PRESENTLY IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS; TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT UNRELATED INCOME; TO DETERMINE ITS FILING AND TAX OBLIGATIONS IN JURISDICTIONS FOR WHICH IT HAS NEXUS; AND TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED TAX POSITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE NO MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. true BOY SCOUNTS TWIN VALLEY COUNCIL 810 MADISON AVE MANKATO MN 56001 6000 EAGLES PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM 910 14TH STREET N NEW ULM MN 56073 9000 IVY HOUSE PO BOX 53 NEW ULM MN 56073 12500 NUMAS HAUS PO BOX 291 NEW ULM MN 56073 13500 PRO KINSHIP FOR KIDS 1400 S STATE ST NEW ULM MN 56073 14500 OTHER GRANTS 18263 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 264 25009 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 ALL AGENCY ALLOCATION REQUESTS ARE THOROUGHLY SCRUTINIZED BY THE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE, INCLUDING VERIFICATION OF NEED, NON-PROFIT STATUS, TYPE OF ASSISTANCE GIVEN AND OTHER VARIOUS FACTORS BEFORE BEING APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE USE OF PAST YEAR FUNDS ARE DOCUMENTED WHEN THE ENTITIES APPLY FOR THEIR NEXT ROUND OF FUNDING. IN BETWEEN THESE TIMES, QUARTERLY MEETINGS ARE HELD WITH VERBAL REPORTS ON RECENT ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND USE OF THE FUNDS BY THE GRANTEE. FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION SOLICIT AND ADMINISTER FUNDS FOR SELECTED HUMAN CARE SERVICES. SPECIFICALLY, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA'S MISSION IS TO BE A PREFERRED COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A FOR OVER SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA HAS PLAYED A UNIQUE ROLE BY BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY-DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, ADVOCATES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. UNITED WAY'S STRATEGIC VISION IS TO ENVISION A UNITED AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS AND THRIVES. WE WILL UNITE PEOPLE AND PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT OUR NEIGHBORS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET LAND ON THEIR FEET AND STAY THERE. UNITED WAY'S WORK AND INVESTMENTS ARE FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. THE UNITED WAY OF BROWN COUNTY AREA IS A VIBRANT ORGANIZATION WITH A RICH HISTORY OF CONNECTING PEOPLE AND RESOURCES. OUR PROGRAMMING IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, AND WE ARE WELL RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. IN 2023-2024, THE UNITED WAY YOUTH ACTIVITIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM GAVE OUT 264 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING OVER 21,812.28. THESE SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE GONE TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT BROWN COUNTY, AGES 3 TO 18, WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS INSUFFICIENT TO AFFORD ACTIVITY AND/OR EQUIPMENT FEES. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 200 PER YEAR PER YOUTH, PROVIDING 80% OF THE ACTIVITY FEES AND 50% OF THE EQUIPMENT COSTS. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENSURE THAT AREA YOUTH WILL NOT BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CHARACTER- BUILDING ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM MUSIC AND DANCE LESSONS TO SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. THIS PAST YEAR, THE UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA CONTINUED THE PROGRAM'S VISION TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE GIFT OF A SPECIALLY SELECTED BOOK EACH MONTH. THROUGH THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION, IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS ONE OF THE UNITED WAY OF BROWN COUNTY AREA'S MOST BELOVED PROGRAMS. BY MAILING HIGH-QUALITY, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOMES, WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE EXCITED ABOUT BOOKS AND FEEL THE MAGIC THEY CAN CREATE. MOREOVER, THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT EVERY CHILD HAS BOOKS, REGARDLESS OF THE FAMILY'S INCOME. SINCE THE INITIAL PROGRAM LAUNCH IN THE UNITED STATES, IMAGINATION LIBRARY HAS GONE FROM JUST A FEW DOZEN BOOKS TO FORTY MILLION BOOKS MAILED TO CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING OVER 950 BOOKS MAILED IN BROWN COUNTY EACH MONTH. IF A CHILD IS READ TO FOR 20 MINUTES DAILY, THEY WILL START SCHOOL WITH AN 800-WORD VOCABULARY. AS WE FACE CONTINUED CHALLENGES TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A HIGH-TECH WORLD, WE MUST DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO PREPARE OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS TO SUCCEED. IN 2024, OUR STUFF THE BACKPACK PROGRAM GAVE OVER 468 BACKPACKS FILLED WITH AGE, GRADE, AND SCHOOL-DISTRICT-APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES TO CHILDREN ALL OVER BROWN COUNTY. THESE BACKPACKS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES IN NEED TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CHILDREN CAN GET OFF TO A GOOD START IN SCHOOL. THE UNITED WAY PARTNERED WITH ALLIANCE BANK TO RECEIVE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, OVER 30 BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND MANY INDIVIDUAL DONORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY GAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES. THIS WAS A FANTASTIC EFFORT, AND WITHOUT THE GENEROSITY OF THE CITIZENS OF BROWN COUNTY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SO MANY CHILDREN WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, AND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, WILL BE THE UNITED WAY OF BROWN COUNTY'S 27TH ANNUAL DAY OF CARING. THE DAY OF CARING IS A YEARLY EVENT THAT MAKES A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE THROUGH VOLUNTEERING. OVER 100 VOLUNTEERS WILL SPEND PART OF THE DAY HELPING OTHERS IN OUR COUNTY. IN 2023, 65 PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED IN THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. THIS PROGRAM IS AT THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE DO, CONNECTING OUR GREATEST RESOURCE, OUR PEOPLE, TO THOSE WHO NEED A HELPING HAND. PROJECT LUNCHBOX IS A WEEKEND FOOD PROGRAM FOR KIDS IN K-8TH GRADES IN NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IT IS ALSO PROVIDED TO THE RIVERBEND DISTRICT, NEW ULM CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, AND ST. PAUL'S. THIS IS OUR EIGHTH YEAR PROVIDING THIS MUCH-NEEDED NEW ULM SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAM. ORGANIZING THE DRY GOODS, PURCHASING, AND OVERSEEING THE PROCESS OF PACKING AND DISTRIBUTING THE FOOD IS MONUMENTAL. THE FOOD IS PACKAGED AND DELIVERED TO SCHOOLS FOR KIDS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHES. THE FOOD PACKAGES ARE THEN PLACED IN A CHILD'S BACKPACK ON FRIDAY TO BE TAKEN HOME. WITH A STEADY CORE OF VOLUNTEERS, THESE FOOD PACKAGES INCLUDE TWO MEALS, TWO SNACKS, AND TWO BEVERAGES TO GET EACH CHILD THROUGH THE WEEKEND. AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE EXECUTION OF THIS PROGRAM. HUNGER CAN IMPACT YOUNG CHILDREN, CAUSING ANXIETY, POOR BEHAVIOR, AND IMPAIRMENT TO LEARNING, AND FOOD INSTABILITY IS A REAL PROBLEM IN THE BROWN COUNTY AREA. PROJECT LUNCHBOX PROVIDES THE VITAL NUTRITION THAT STUDENTS NEED FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS. THERE ARE MANY BARRIERS FOR THE ELDERLY, WORKING POOR, AND YOUNG STUDENTS IN GETTING THEIR TAXES DONE EACH YEAR. TIME, ACCESS OR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE TAX SYSTEM WORKS, AND THE LACK OF FUNDS TO PAY SOMEONE TO DO THEIR TAXES ARE JUST A FEW BARRIERS FACING BROWN COUNTY AREA RESIDENTS. WHATEVER THE BARRIER, UNITED WAY OF THE BROWN COUNTY AREA'S FREE TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM IS IN PLACE TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS. EACH YEAR, COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOLUNTEER TO BECOME IRS CERTIFIED TAX PREPARERS AND/OR CLIENT FACILITATORS THROUGH AARP TO HELP LOCAL AREA CITIZENS. THIS PUTS THOUSANDS OF REFUND TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B FORM 990 AND ATTACHMENTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE CHAIR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE WHO MONITOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH CONFLICTS TO ASSURE THERE IS NO PARTICIPATION OR INFLUENCE ON ANY ISSUES ARISING FROM THE CONFLICTS. BOARD AND STAFF ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY NEW CONFLICTS NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO EXIST AS THEY ARISE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A SALARIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER KEY POSITIONS ARE DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE. AS THESE COMMITTEES INCLUDE MEMBERS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, COMPARABLE WAGES ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ALONG WITH INFORMATION TAKEN FROM OTHER UNITED WAYS AS AVAILABLE. ALL COMPENSATION PACKAGES ARE APPROVED BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B SEE PREVIOUS EXPLANATION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE.